By Rudo Saungweme
The New Dispensation`s efforts to stabilise the economy are being compromised by economic saboteurs who do not want Zimbabwe to move ahead. It is such a shame that some misguided Zimbabweans rejoice over the lamentation of their fellow Zimbabweans in this road to economic recovery.
The people`s hope now lies in the Government. It is however astonishing that retailers are sabotaging the Government through charging exorbitant prices leaving hapless consumers miffed. A situation that has made life very difficult for ordinary Zimbabweans. His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa once castigated the behaviour of retailers for charging ridiculous prices especially the price of maize seed which had risen to $100 per 10 kilograms from $17. To everyone’s relief after the president’s intervention the maize seed price reduced by 50%.
The introduction of a 2 percent Intermediary Money Transfer and the introduction of Foreign Currency Nostro Accounts (FCA) and Real Time Gross Settlement FCA Accounts saw economic saboteurs dragging the economy into the mud. They started misleading people spreading lies that RTGS FCA Accounts will soon become obsolete. This resulted in the increase of all commodities on the market. Everyone who had his goods on sell would charge prices, they thought would benefit them at the expense of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Government is working day and night to make sure that the prices and everything that Zimbabweans need stabilises. In contrast to what the Government is doing, some elements in the business community continue to sabotage Government efforts.
In relation to that, Ministry of Industry and Commerce held a meeting with the business community early this week, to discuss pricing distortions that have continued despite the stability in supply of most products. Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mangaliso Ndlovu lamented over some retail shops who continue to use the 3 tier pricing while a few demand only United States Dollars (USD).
Minister Ndlovu also indicated that the situation on the medical drugs continue to be of concern as most pharmacies demand payment in United States Dollars. He added to say if pharmacies accept other forms of payment, the prices will be too high.
The New Dispensation is doing whatever it takes to shape the economy so that every Zimbabwean enjoys the national cake. Minister Ndlovu stated that the National Competitive Commission will be mandated to interrogate cost build up from the manufacturer through the retailer through a value chain analysis and recommends specific pricing models for each sector.
Ministry of Industry and Commerce stated that the Government through Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) continues to support the productive sector through foreign exchange allocations to ensure they adequately stock for the upcoming festive season. They is also a deliberate attempt to channel resources towards primary production particularly agriculture because our current vulnerability is a result of excessive reliance on agricultural imports for raw materials such as soya beans and wheat and that manufacturers and service providers publicise.
In light of the agricultural imports, Zimbabwe Oil Expressers Association of Zimbabwe indicated that it requires USD 5 million per week or USD 20 million per month to import soya beans, crude edible oils and other raw materials to satisfy the requirements for national oil and demand and related products adequately. The New Dispensation is encouraging farmers to add value to the raw materials so that we will cut on imports.
We have the best soils in Zimbabwe and if efficiently utilised Zimbabwe will be the bread basket of Africa again. The Government has also introduced Command Soya beans programme in order to realise food security, sustainable agricultural production and the whole indigenisation and empowerment agenda. Midlands has 187 farmers contracted for soya beans.
President Mnangagwa allocated 1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product towards research. This move will result in high yield production of soya beans since there are opportunities for research in the soya bean value chain.
Government must deal with economic saboteurs who are charging exorbitant prices as these people are bent on crippling the economy. Law need to be enforced on economic saboteurs.
